Volga River Towns Fade Along With Prized Sturgeon : NPR Volga River Towns Fade Along With Prized Sturgeon Embed Embed Volga River Towns Fade Along With Prized Sturgeon Volga River Towns Fade Along With Prized Sturgeon Embed Embed Floating through the Volga River delta as it approaches the Caspian Sea. Previous Photos by Anne Garrels/NPR Hide caption A collective of fishermen hauls in the catch under the observation of police. Astrakhan, the last major city downstream on the Volga River before it reaches the Caspian, was once the caviar capital of Russia. Previous Next Hide caption When sturgeon neared extinction, the Russian government banned commercial fishing of the endangered species. For these fishermen, it meant going after other types of fish and a dramatic cut in their income. Previous Next Hide caption Because of overfishing, this collective is among the lucky few to retain fishing rights on the Volga. Previous Next Hide caption Astrakhan's fish market boasts smoked fish and the fresh catches of the day. But there is little black caviar available, and what is for sale must have government documents to show it is legal.

Previous View slideshow Final of five parts Astrakhan is the last major city downstream on the Volga River, on the edge of a delta reaching into the Caspian Sea. This is the spawning ground for beluga and its cousin, the highly prized Caspian sturgeon, which together produce four-fifths of the world's black caviar. A fisherman looks at sturgeon lying in a boat on the Volga River near Astrakhan in August 2000. The communities around Astrakhan are struggling as the sturgeon population plummeted during recent decades. Oleg Nikishin/Newsmakers/Getty Images News hide caption toggle caption Oleg Nikishin/Newsmakers/Getty Images News A fisherman looks at sturgeon lying in a boat on the Volga River near Astrakhan in August 2000. The communities around Astrakhan are struggling as the sturgeon population plummeted during recent decades. Oleg Nikishin/Newsmakers/Getty Images News Astrakhan has long been known as Russia's caviar capital — but no more. As the fish neared extinction in the 1990s, Russia declared the situation critical.

It has banned all commercial sturgeon fishing in the Caspian basin and the export of all black caviar. Now, both the sturgeon and the local people struggle to survive. Not so long ago, Astrakhan's fish market glistened with heaps of affordable fresh caviar — sturgeon's gooey black eggs, often called "black gold." But these days, the only caviar legally available there is from government-regulated fish farms. There aren't a lot of them and they don't come near to meeting Russian and world demand for caviar — even at a whopping $1,000 to $2,000 per kilogram on the official market. The economic decline is reflected in the crumbling one-story wooden buildings that still make up much of the city center. Credit: Alyson Hurt/NPR Gennady Rozenberg, a biologist at the Russian Academy of Sciences in the Volga city of Togliatti, says the government needs to do more now to encourage sturgeon farming. He says these farms can help restore stocks, produce more caviar, cut down on the black market and boost the faltering local economy.

"Perhaps it's not yet clear to Moscow that natural resources like sturgeon are no less valuable than oil, gas and coal, on which Russia currently lives. I think our government simply doesn't understand this can be a significant source of income," he says. Article continues after sponsorship Sturgeon's Dramatic Decline Devotees of caviar date back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Russian czars had a monopoly on its sale. Before the 1917 revolution, churches on the Volga were not allowed to ring their bells as the giant fish came upriver for fear of disturbing their spawning. But the numbers of sturgeon suddenly showed a dramatic decline in the late 1990s. There are various views on what led to this and what their future may be now. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin destroyed key spawning grounds with the construction of a series of hydroelectric stations along the Volga. Some experts believe that is the key to the near disappearance of these strange-looking prehistoric fish, which had managed to outlast the dinosaurs. More In The Series PART 1: Russia's Troubled Waters Flow With The Mighty Volga Nov.

1, 2010 Victor Chlpinov, a biologist with the Russian Academy of Sciences in Astrakhan, says others believe overfishing is at the heart of the problem. "In Soviet times, official fishing was big, but illegal fishing was 9 or 10 times that, even then. And after the Soviet Union fell apart and all controls evaporated, poaching just exploded," Chlpinov says. Whatever the reason, the result was a precipitous drop in sturgeon — down 90 percent since 1970 and 40 percent alone in 2000 to 2001. Scientists are allocated small quotas of sturgeon to breed and release into the wild. Alexander Kokoza, a professor specializing in sturgeon at Astrakhan's Technical University, says it will take years to determine the success of the program. "These fish don't reach maturity for 8 to 18 years. And though a female releases 250,000 to 400,000 eggs at a time, only two to three fish survive from this incredible amount," he says.

Government Efforts To Protect Fish The Russian government also recently introduced a number of measures to curb poaching, says Vladimir Karpenko, an official with the fish control agency in Astrakhan. "There is now a strict system of inspections," he says, adding the Russian officials have stepped up surveillance. "We have small motor boats, cars, and now we have drones, though we still have to learn how to work with them." Vladimir Karpenko, an official with the fish control agency in Astrakhan, says poaching has declined significantly as authorities have stepped up surveillance efforts. Anne Garrels/NPR hide caption toggle caption Anne Garrels/NPR Vladimir Karpenko, an official with the fish control agency in Astrakhan, says poaching has declined significantly as authorities have stepped up surveillance efforts. Anne Garrels/NPR Karpenko insists poaching is down dramatically. Some reports, however, suggest poachers continue to send Moscow a yearly supply of 250 metric tons in illegal caviar, compared to 8 metric tons produced legally. A senior official in Karpenko's office is currently under investigation for sturgeon poaching, something Karpenko refused to discuss.

Local taxi drivers say they can find black market caviar, but put to the test, it was actually hard to come by — either because the illegal stock has been moved on to richer Moscow where prices are higher or because controls are now taking effect. And there aren't just controls on sturgeon. Government quotas on other fish have now been imposed to reverse the decline of the chaotic '90s. Quotas are distributed through a complicated application process, which by all accounts is rife with corruption. As fish police head out into the Volga, their boat passes the shells of former factories —among them many fish-processing plants now out of business In the village of Zelenga, the roads are unpaved and residents get water only a few hours a day. The last collective of fishermen recently shut down and hard times have set in. Anne Garrels/NPR hide caption toggle caption Anne Garrels/NPR In the village of Zelenga, the roads are unpaved and residents get water only a few hours a day. The last collective of fishermen recently shut down and hard times have set in. Anne Garrels/NPR Fisherman Vasily Suzranov says controls are working.

The ban on commercial sturgeon fishing has reduced his salary dramatically; he now makes about $500 a month. That's a good salary in these parts, but nothing like what he once earned, he says. But at least his collective still has the right to catch other fish. Local Communities Hurting Not so in other villages in the Volga delta, which have lost all fishing rights. In the village of Zelenga, the fish collective is the last local industry to shut down. Nina Saraikina, with the local government, is in despair. "The collective here didn't win a quota for any commercial fishing, let alone sturgeon. There are no jobs left here," Saraikina says. Zelenga may join the list of thousands of Russian villages that have disappeared from the map. The deserted dirt roads are lined with ramshackle wooden houses, their siding scavenged from fish crates, a testimony to another era. Decay is setting in. Nina Saraikina is an official with the local government in Zelenga. She says the fish collective's loss of fishing rights means there are now no jobs in the village.

Anne Garrels/NPR hide caption toggle caption Anne Garrels/NPR Nina Saraikina is an official with the local government in Zelenga. She says the fish collective's loss of fishing rights means there are now no jobs in the village. Anne Garrels/NPR Exotic lotuses bloom in the river. Pelicans, flamingos, herons and many other migratory species make this a birders' paradise. But tourism is in its infancy. For now, local officials concede poaching is the only way for some to put food on the table despite the risks. "It's hard to catch sturgeon these days, but there are people who by chance get a fish, and it's hard to refuse a pot of gold," says Chlpinov of the Russian Academy of Sciences. "Someone who earns nothing or maybe $120 a month suddenly realizes he can get $10,000 in a day." Chlpinov says if sturgeon and people are to thrive along the Volga, the region — as all Russia today — needs investment and jobs. Volga | WWF Volga The Volga River. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Creative Commons License © Vladislav Bezrukov Russia's national river The Volga is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It starts in the Valday Hills of northwestern Russia and flows 3,700 km before creating this delta and pouring into the Caspian Sea. The river flows through Russia's heavily populated western region and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. Eleven out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, including its capital Moscow, are situated in the Volga basin. The Volga Delta has a length of about 160 kilometres and includes as many as 500 channels and smaller rivers. The largest estuary in Europe, it is the only place in Russia where pelicans, flamingoes, and lotuses may be found. The Volga drains most of Western Russia. Its many large reservoirs provide irrigation and hydroelectric power. The Moscow Canal, the Volga-Don Canal, and the Volga-Baltic Waterway form navigable waterways connecting Moscow to the White Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

The fertile river valley provides large quantities of wheat, and also has many mineral riches. A substantial petroleum industry centres on the Volga valley. Other minerals include natural gas, salt, and potash. The Volga Delta and the nearby Caspian Sea offer superb fishing grounds. Astrakhan, at the delta, is the centre of the caviar industry. Current threats Dams upstream have altered the natural flow regime of the river thus negatively affecting the productivity of the delta and its fauna. Planned impoundments, water diversions, industrial, agricultural, and domestic pollution further threaten the health of populations dependent upon the delta ecosystem. Cyanobacterial blooms and deoxygentation have increased in recent years. Some species of sturgeon – prized for their caviar – have been poached almost to the brink of extinction in the Volga River. According to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species all but two species of sturgeon are classified as threatened: six are critically endangered, eight are endangered, six are vulnerable, and one is lower risk (near threatened).

Other issues affecting the long term health of the river include poor water quality, weak basin management, and low public awareness and participation in the decision-making processes.1 Volga River watershed. © Revenga, C., S. Murray, J. Abramovitz, and A. Hammond, 1998. Watersheds of the World: Ecological Value and Vulnerability. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Countries Volga River Facts | Interesting Facts about Volga River Interesting Facts about Volga River Ship sailing on river Volga in Tver, Russia. The majestic Volga River, flowing in the western part of Russia, is globally renowned for its length (3,685 km; longest in Europe), and width, which makes it look almost endless at certain embankments. Commercially important, the people living on either side in its entire length consider it more than just a trade and transport route. The river is sacred and referred to as Volga Matushka(Matushka means Mother in Russian). It has played a significant role in shaping the history, culture, and lifestyle of the European Russians.

Located entirely in Russia (European part), the Volga River has seen the creation of some of the largest and most important cities on its banks. Both banks of the river are dotted with the cities and their magnificent monuments and historical sites. These cities include Samara, Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Uglich, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, and of course the capital city Moscow. Volga River Facts The Volga River has its beginnings in the glacial Valdai Hills (225 meters above sea level), which is located near Moscow in the northwest. The river initially flows east passing by Moscow, Yaroslavl (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Nizhny Novgorod (birthplace of one of the greatest Russian writers, Maxim Gorky). The river then turns south near Kazan, which is home to the famous Kazan Kremlin, another World Heritage Site.

Its southwards journey ends in the Caspian Sea by creating a big delta near Astrakhan (famous for its sturgeon and caviar trade), the river flows through cities like Samara (one of the best places to enjoy the width of the river) and Volgograd (the historical city where the bloody Battle of Stalingrad occurred). The Volga is fed by a number of tributaries along its way, notable ones include rivers Oka, Sura, Kama and Vetluga. At present, the Volga River is flecked with a number of hydroelectric dams, canals and reservoirs. Most of the length of the river is navigable as well. The importance of the Volga River dates back to the ancient times when the river basin saw the development of the Proto-Indo-European civilization. During the 1st century AD, the river was used for trade and transport by the Slavics, the Bulgars and the Khazars who settled in different parts of the Volga basin. There was a rise in trade with Central Asia during this time. Russian states were formed and there was an increase in agriculture of wheat and other crops along the river basin.

Throughout its history, the Volga River was referred to by different names like Ra, Itil, Atil, Ethel, and Idil. Invasions and Conflicts During the 13th century, the southern part of the Volga River, below Nizhny Novgorod, saw the invasion of Mongols, whose influence is evident in cities like Astrakhan and Kazan. Along with the establishment of cities, dams and reservoirs, the river also witnessed a number of conflicts. It was used to field warships during the Russian Civil War. During World War II, Hitler considered the Volga River to have special significance for his war against the Allies. He had meant to block Volga routes and capture the petroleum resources near the Caspian Sea to weaken the Russian army and strengthen the Axis forces. But the decisive Battle of Stalingard (1942-43) did the reverse. The Russians showed immense resistance and after over five months of one of the bloodiest battles in history, the German Army surrendered. Yaroslavl This city in the Volga basin is one of the most fascinating places to visit near the Volga River.

Founded in the 11th century, Yaroslavl features a large number of architecturally impressive cathedrals and churches. Volga in Literature The Volga River holds a significant place in Russian culture. One of the oldest mentions of the river was by the Greco-Roman geographer and writer Ptolemy, who referred to it as Ra River in his book Geography. The Song of the Volga Boatmen is a traditional Russian song that has been performed by a number of musicians from around the world. Last Modified : Friday, December 2, 2016 Published On: Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 Nov 23, 2013 Visit Astrakhan City. Stay at Park Inn By Radisson Astrakhan Hotel ... and more. Keep typing to refine search. Astrakhan City Centre Astrakhan city centre made its name as a trading centre between Central Asia, Europe and the Caucasus. This picturesque city spreads across eleven islands of the Caspian lowland at the head of the Volga delta, making it a unique destination in the region.

A major regional centre since the 13th century, Astrakhan currently is well known for its caviar industry, with oil production also playing an important part in the local economy. If you want to explore all that the city centre has to offer, book a room at the Park Inn by Radisson Astrakhan Hotel. With beautiful views over the river Volga and stylish rooms to relax in after a long day sightseeing, the Park Inn by Radisson rates as one of the top hotels in Astrakhan . Sightseeing in Astrakhan City Centre The Park Inn by Radisson Astrakhan is close to the downtown area of the city and also to the main government administrative buildings. The main attractions of the city include the Astrakhan Kremlin , whose bell tower locals consider to be a symbol of the city, and the Musical Theatre , home to opera and ballet in Astrakhan. Other prominent attractions in the city centre include the 'October' cinema and the House of Astrakhan Cossacks. Several historic and striking cathedrals, such as the church of Ioann Zlatoust and the Cathedral of St. Vladimir, also call the city home.

Visitors will also want to visit the Philharmonic Hall, along with Astrakhan's museums, which cover everything from military history to modern art. Staying at the Park Inn by Radisson Astrakhan Hotel With its superb views, convenient location and modern accommodation, the Park Inn by Radisson Astrakhan Hotel is the place to base yourself during your visit to this fascinating city. Unique Facts-Europe-The Volga River usa | world | animals | vocabulary | health | science | math | history The Volga River The Volga river in Western Russia, Europe's longest river, with a length of 3,690 km (2,293 miles), provides the core of the largest river system in Europe. In ancient times it was known as Atil, Itil or Idil. Rising in the Valdai Hills 225 m (740 ft) above sea level north-west of Moscow and about 320 kilometres south-east of Saint Petersburg, the Volga heads east past Tver', Dubna, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan (Qazan).

From there it turns south, flows past Tolyatti, Samara and Volgograd, and discharges into the Caspian Sea below Astrakhan at 28 metres below sea level. The Volga has many tributaries, most importantly the Kama, the Oka, the Vetluga, and the Sura rivers. The Volga and its tributaries form the Volga river system, which drains an area of about 1.35 million square kilometres in the most heavily populated part of Russia. The Volga Delta has a length of about 160 kilometres and includes as many as 500 channels and smaller rivers. The Volga freezes for most of its length during three months of each year. It drains most of Western Russia and its many large reservoirs provide important irrigation and hydroelectric power. The Moscow-Volga Canal, the Volga-Don Canal, and the Mariinsk Canal system form navigable waterways connecting Moscow to the White Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. High levels of chemical pollution currently give cause for environmental concern. The fertile river valley provides a great wheat-growing region, and also has many mineral riches.

A large petroleum industry centres on the Volga valley. Other minerals include natural gas, salt, and potash. The Volga Delta and the nearby Caspian Sea offer superb fishing grounds. Astrakhan, at the delta, is the centre of the caviar industry. Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod are important manufacturing cities on the banks of the Volga. During Soviet rule, Nizhny Novgorod was closed to foreigners. Other important cities on the river include Saratov, Kazan, Tolyatti, and Samara. Nine major hydroelectric power stations and several large artificial lakes formed by dams lie along the Volga. The largest of the lakes are, from north to south, the Rybinsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, and Volgograd reservoirs. The ancient scholar Ptolemy of Alexandria mentioned the Volga in his Geography. The river basin played an important role in the great movements of people from Asia to Europe. A powerful Bulgarian empire once flourished where the Kama river joins the Volga. Also, Volga passed through the Khazar khaganate.

Volgograd witnessed the Battle of Stalingrad, the major victory of the Soviet Union over Germany in World War II. The Russian people's deep feeling for the Volga often finds echoes in their songs and literature. The Volga region is also home to a large German minority group, the Volga Germans. Under the Soviet Union a large slice of the region was turned into the Volga German Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic to house the Volga Germans. Volga River Volga River The Volga ( Russian : Волга) is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed . It flows through central Russia , and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia . Out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, eleven, including its capital Moscow , are situated in the Volga's drainage basin . Some of the largest reservoirs in the world can be found along the Volga. Nomenclature The Russian hydronym "Волга" is akin to the old Mari name of the river - Volgydo that means "bright". Mari people are considered as the first people in Volga. Presently Mari call the river as Юл (Jul) that means "way" from Tatar.

The name volgydo is cognate to Finno-Ugric valkea meaning "white" or "bright". Russians explain Volga from slavic word for "wetness", "humidity" (влага, волога). The Russian name is transliterated as Volga in English and Wolga in German . The Turkic people living along the river formerly referred to it as Itil or Atil (probably the origin of Attila 's name). In modern Turkic languages, the Volga is known as İdel (Идел) in Tatar, Idyll in ancient Chuvash-Bolgar, Атăл (Atăl) in Chuvash, Idhel in Bashkir, Edil in Kazakh, and İdil in Turkish. The Turkic peoples associated the Itil's origin with the Kama River. Thus, a left tributary to the Kama river was named the Aq Itil (White Itil). Under the Mongols, the river was known by its other Turkic name Sarı-su ("yellow water") but Mongols used also their own name Shar mörön ("yellow river").

The ancient and modern Mordvin name for the Volga, Рав (Rav), apparently reflects the ancient Scythian hydronym *Rhā, suppedly cognate with the ancient Avestan and Sanskrit names Rañha and Rasah for a mythical river supposed to flow around the earth. It has even been suggested that the name Russian itself might have been derived from Rasah/Rosah, the Iranic name of the Volga River (by F.Knauer Moscow 1901). These Iranic words are all connected in their primary meaning of "dew, liquid, moisture". Description The Volga is the longest river in Europe. It belongs to the closed basin of the Caspian Sea . Rising in the Valdai Hills 225 m above sea level north-west of Moscow and about 320 km south-east of Saint Petersburg, the Volga heads east past Lake Sterzh, Tver, Dubna, Rybinsk, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, and Kazan .

From there it turns south, flows past Ulyanovsk, Tolyatti, Samara, Saratov and Volgograd , and discharges into the Caspian Sea below Astrakhan at 28 m below sea level. At its most strategic point, it bends toward the Don ("the big bend"). Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, is located there. The Volga has many tributaries, most importantly the Kama, the Oka, the Vetluga , and the Sura rivers. The Volga and its tributaries form the Volga river system, which drains an area of about 1.35 million square kilometres in the most heavily populated part of Russia. The Volga Delta has a length of about 160 kilometres and includes as many as 500 channels and smaller rivers. The largest estuary in Europe, it is the only place in Russia where pelicans , flamingoes , and lotuses may be found. The Volga freezes for most of its length for three months each year. The Volga drains most of Western Russia. Its many large reservoirs provide irrigation and hydroelectric power.

The Moscow Canal, the Volga-Don Canal, and the Volga-Baltic Waterway form navigable waterways connecting Moscow to the White Sea , the Baltic Sea , the Caspian Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea . High levels of chemical pollution currently give cause for environmental concern. The fertile river valley provides large quantities of wheat, and also has many mineral riches. A substantial petroleum industry centres on the Volga valley. Other minerals include natural gas, salt, and potash. The Volga Delta and the nearby Caspian Sea offer superb fishing grounds. Astrakhan, at the delta, is the centre of the caviar industry. Confluents (downstream to upstream) Akhtuba (near Volzhsky), a distributary Samara (in Samara) Kuybyshev Reservoir– the largest in Europe by surface Saratov Reservoir Volgograd Reservoir Human history The downstream of the Volga, widely believed to have been a cradle of the Proto-Indo-European civilization, was settled by Huns and other Turkic peoples in the first millennium AD, replacing Scythians.

The ancient scholar Ptolemy of Alexandria mentions the lower Volga in his Geography (Book 5, Chapter 8, 2nd Map of Asia). He calls it the Rha, which was the Scythian name for the river. Ptolemy believed the Don and the Volga shared the same upper branch, which flowed from the Hyperborean Mountains. Subsequently the river basin played an important role in the movements of peoples from Asia to Europe. A powerful polity of Volga Bulgaria once flourished where the Kama river joins the Volga, while Khazaria controlled the lower stretches of the river. Such Volga cities as Atil, Saqsin, or Sarai were among the largest in the medieval world. The river served as an important trade route connecting Scandinavia, Rus', and Volga Bulgaria with Khazaria and Persia . Khazars were replaced by Kipchaks, Kimeks and Mongols, who founded the Golden Horde in the lower reaches of the Volga. Later their empire broke into the Khanate of Kazan and Khanate of Astrakhan both of which were conquered by the Russians in the course of the 16th century Russo-Kazan Wars.

The Russian people's deep feeling for the Volga finds echoes in their culture and literature, starting from the 12th-century Lay of Igor's Campaign. The Volga Boatmen's Song is one of many songs devoted to the national river of Russia. Construction of Soviet dams often involved enforced resettlement of huge numbers of people, as well as destruction of their historical heritage. For instance, the town of Mologa was flooded for the purpose of constructing the Rybinsk Reservoir (then the largest artificial lake in the world), and the construction of the Uglich Reservoir entailed the flooding of several monasteries with buildings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. In such cases the ecological and cultural damage often outbalanced any economical advantage. 20th-century conflicts During the Russian Civil War, both sides fielded warships on the Volga. In 1918, the Red Volga Flotilla participated in driving the Whites eastward, from the Middle Volga at Kazan to the Kama and eventually to Ufa on the Belaya River.

In modern times, the city on the big bend of the Volga, currently known as Volgograd, witnessed the Battle of Stalingrad, the bloodiest battle in human history, in which the Soviet Union and the German forces were deadlocked in a stalemate battle for access to the river. The Volga was (and still is) a vital transport route between Russia and the Caspian Sea, which provides access to the oil fields of Apsheron. Hitler planned to use access to the oil fields of Azerbaijan to fuel future German conquests. Apart from that, whoever held both sides of the river could move valuable troops and war machines , across the river, to defeat the enemy's fortifactions beyond the river. By taking the river, Hitler's Germany would have been able to move supplies , guns , and men into the northern part of Russia. For this reason, many amphibious assaults were brought about in an attempt to remove the other side from the banks of the river. In these battles, The Soviet Union was the main offensive side, while the German troops used a more defensive stance, though most the fighting was head on head, with no clear offensive or defensive side.

Ethnic groups The first people along the upper Volga are Mari (Мари) and their west ethnic group named Merya (Мäрӹ) that came here around 1-3rd century. In the 8th and 9th centuries Slavic colonization began from Kievan Rus'. They brought Christianity, and a part of local people took Christianity and gradually became East Slavs; the remainder of Mari people migrated to the west far inland. In the course of several centuries they assimilated the indigenous Finnic population which included Merya and Meshchera peoples. The surviving peoples of Volga Finnic ethnicity include the Maris and Mordvins of the middle Volga. Apart from the Huns, the earliest Turkic tribes arrived in the 7th century and assimilated some Finnic and Indo-European population on the middle and lower Volga. The Christian Chuvash and Muslim Tatars are descendants of the population of medieval Volga Bulgaria. Another Turkic group, the Nogais, formerly inhabited the lower Volga steppes. The Volga region is home to a German minority group, the Volga Germans.

Catherine the Great had issued a Manifesto in 1763 inviting all foreigners to come and populate the region, offering them numerous incentives to do so. This was partly to develop the region but also to provide a buffer zone between the Russians and the Mongol hordes to the east. Because of conditions in German territories, the Germans responded in the largest numbers. Under the Soviet Union a slice of the region was turned into the Volga German Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic to house many of the Volga Germans. Others were executed or dispersed throughout the Soviet Union prior to and after World War II . Navigation The Volga, widened for navigation purposes with construction of huge dams during the years of Stalin 's industrialization , is of great importance to inland shipping and transport in Russia: all the dams in the river have been equipped with large (double) ship locks, so that vessels of considerable dimensions can actually travel from the Caspian Sea almost to the upstream end of the river. Connections with the Don River and the Black Sea are possible through the Volga-Don Canal.

Connections with the lakes of the north ( Lake Ladoga , Lake Onega ), Saint Petersburg and the Baltic Sea are possible through the Volga-Baltic Waterway; and a liaison with Moscow has been realised by the Moscow Canal connecting the Volga and the Moskva rivers. This infrastructure has been designed for vessels of a relatively large scale (lock dimensions of 290 x 30 meters on the Volga, slightly smaller on some of the other rivers and canals) and it spans many thousands of kilometers. A number of formerly state-run, now mostly privatized, companies operate passenger and cargo vessels on the river; Volgotanker, with over 200 petroleum tankers, is one of them. In the later Soviet era , up to the modern times, grain and oil have been among the largest cargo exports transported on the Volga. Until recently access to the Russian waterways was granted to foreign vessels on a only very limited scale. The increasing contacts between the European Union and Russia have led to new policies with regard to the access to the Russian inland waterways. It is expected that vessels of other nations will be allowed on the Russian rivers soon.

(Wikipedia) Russian River Cruise : Volga River Tours : Russian Cruise Company Moscow St. Petersburg Cruise Our Moscow to St. Petersburg cruises begin in Moscow and then take you along the magnificent Volga River onward to St. Petersburg. We also offer cruises running in the opposite direction - from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Both of these cities are rich in history, art, architecture and have a vibrant city life, great restaurants, shopping and more. By taking a Moscow St. Petersburg cruise this summer, you can easily get to know Russia's most important cities and visit ancient towns and admire stunning landscapes along the way. Moscow has a wonderful heritage of historic buildings and is known as the medieval and 20th century capital of Russia, while St. Petersburg is a dreamland of 18th century architecture and craftsmanship. Besides offering visits to sites of unique historical and architectural interest, our Moscow to St. Petersburg cruises afford a relaxing alternative to traveling by taking you along the Neva River, Lake Ladoga, the Svir River, Lake Onega, the Baltic canal, White Lake and the Volga River.

Relax on the sundeck of our river boat as the tranquil Russian landscape passes by and enjoy fantastic onboard activities. Come to Russia in the summer of 2017 with Russian Cruise Company. Available routes: Volga River Cruises Our Volga cruises give you a unique chance to see many different parts of Russia in one trip. You will admire the vibrancy of Moscow, enjoy the quiet atmosphere of ancient Yaroslavl and get a feeling for Russian village life as well as have a look at local handicrafts in Uglich and Kostroma. You will visit Nizhny Novgorod, the picturesque old center of the Volga region as well as Kazan and Astrakhan which occupy the former territory of the Golden Horde - all stops are full of history and beauty. Relax on the sundeck of our river boat as the tranquil Russian landscape passes by and enjoy fantastic onboard activities. Some of our Volga cruises also include St. Petersburg, "The Northern Venice" and Rostov-on-Don, "The Port of Five Seas". Please check the individual itineraries to learn more.

While cruising you will sail practically the whole length of the magnificent Volga River, you will see many of Russia's different regions and get a feeling for South-Eastern Russia with its link to Asia and the Orient and European, Imperial Russia. Available routes: Black Sea Cruises Take an incredible voyage along the Dnieper River to the Black Sea when you travel from Kiev to Odessa or Kiev to Istanbul. Learn about the great empires and people that inhabited this area in the past: the Kievan Rus, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans as you enjoy a relaxing cruise. Visit Kiev, the beautiful capital of the Ukraine where you will see medieval cathedrals and monasteries and learn about Ukrainian and Russian history. Relax on the sundeck of our river boat as the tranquil Ukrainian landscape passes by and enjoy fantastic onboard activities. Visit the Cossack stronghold of Zaporizhia and learn the fascinating history of the region and its people. Travel to Sevastopol, home of the Black Sea Fleet and site of the famous Siege of Sevastopol. Journey along the Black Sea to Yalta, the site of the Yalta Conference and arrive in the cosmopolitan and historically important city of Odessa.

Arrive in magnificent Istanbul, the gateway to the East! Visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar and learn about the city that was capital of four empires. Enjoy local and International cuisine on our all-inclusive cruise. Take part in our onboard activities and programs that will enrich your understanding of the region and will ensure that you have a great time! Be prepared for the journey of a lifetime as we explore the history, culture, sites and folklore of the Black Sea region. Available routes: Russian North Cruises Break away from the bustle of the city and visit the enigmatic and stunningly beautiful northern lands of Russia! These relatively short cruises can be an excellent extension to any of our St. Petersburg tours. Russian North cruises will take you along the picturesque banks of Neva River and Ladoga Lake to reach Valaam - an important center of spiritual life for the Russian people and home to a large, remote monastery. Enjoy the unique, natural beauty of Valaam and get to know the traditions of Russian religious life, admire the splendid views of the Russian North in Svirstroy.

Feel the magic atmosphere of Kizhi with its wooden architecture which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the streets of Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, and experience traditional Russian village life in Mandrogui. Relax on the sundeck of our river boat as the tranquil Russian landscape passes by and enjoy fantastic onboard activities. A very Russian journey awaits!

Question: Which city on the River Volga is the centre of the Caviar industry?
Answer: ASTRAKHAN